Frequently Asked Questions

CAN I PUT MY CHILD ON THE WAIT LIST BEFORE S/HE IS ELIGIBLE TO ENROLL?

Yes. All families who are interested in enrolling their child at MITW must visit us prior to starting the application process. Once the application process is complete, your child will be placed on a wait list until s/he is eligible to officially enroll. This secures your child’s spot and allows your family time to plan for this important transition.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MONTESSORI AND A TRADITIONAL PRESCHOOL?

This is a frequently asked question! It’s important to understand the difference between these two types of early childhood education experiences and how it affects preschool. Children are encouraged to move freely in the classroom and self-discipline is encouraged. A Montessori classroom will have many sensory materials available for children to independently access and explore. Teachers (Guides) keep a low profile in the classroom; their role is dedicated to guiding and supporting the individual child. Children are free to choose their own work and their learning is uninterrupted. Montessori classrooms are mixed age, where older children become role models for their younger friends.

WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY AT MITW LOOK LIKE?

If you would like to schedule a private tour to observe a typical day at our school, please call Erin at (814) 866-3760.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR MITW?

We are open 7:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday.

Our official school day begins at 9am each day. The Toddler and Half Day Preschool school day ends at noon each day.

Full Day Preschool and Kindergarten ends at 3pm, Monday through Thursday, and noon on Fridays.

Before and after school Montessori is available for enrolled children from 7:30 – 9:00 AM and in the afternoons until 5:30pm for an additional hourly rate.

Summer Camp hours are most flexible, and are subject to change.

WHAT TYPE OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS ENCOURAGED?

Parent, teacher, child, and school relationships are very important in a child’s life and success at MITW. Parents, grandparents and caregivers are welcome to be a part of the classroom environment.

Your child’s teacher is always available to discuss your child, and formal conferences will be scheduled during the school year so you can share in your child’s explorations.

In addition to conferences, MITW hosts a school open house and special events throughout the year for our families to attend.

DOES MITW PROVIDE MEALS AND SNACKS?

Sharing in mealtime is an important Montessori tradition. All children staying for lunch will be required to bring their own lunches.

Lunches will be stored in a refrigerator until mealtime. Unless your child has special dietary requirements, you do not need to send in a regular snack each day. You will have a few assigned snack weeks throughout the year where you will be asked to bring in snack to share with the class.

To help with your child’s independence and developmental steps, we encourage less reliance on sippy cups, however these items can be given to staff for your child to use if needed.

IS MITW ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE MY CHILD’S DIETARY RESTRICTIONS/ALLERGIES?

Yes. An updated list of dietary restrictions and allergies for all children is given to each Guide and posted throughout the school.

WHAT IS CARPOOL?

To make the children’s transition into the classroom safer and easier, we have “carpool” on school days. During carpool, members of the staff greet the children, assist them curbside, and escort them to and from the classroom (parents remain in their vehicles). Carpool times for morning arrival are 8:50 – 9:10am and afternoon departure from noon-12:15pm and again from 3:00 - 3:15pm.

WHAT CLASSROOM WILL MY CHILD BE IN?

There are two classrooms at MITW: Toddler and Primary (preschool and Kindergarten). The Toddler classroom is for children 15 months through 3 years. The Primary classroom is mixed ages in the morning and is for children who are 3 - 6 years and full potty trained.

The three-year cycle is an essential part of Montessori education. Children stay in the same room with the same teacher and group of children for 3 years. During the Montessori three-year cycle, children experience different roles, responsibilities, and perspectives.

WHAT TYPE OF PARENT EDUCATION DOES MITW PROVIDE?

Part of the Montessori education is helping the family infuse Montessori concepts into the home. We look forward to sharing ideas on how to expand your child’s experience outside of the classroom. Throughout the year, MITW provides parent education seminars on a variety of educational and caregiving topics.

WHAT IS YOUR DISCIPLINE POLICY?

MITW believes that keeping children busy and actively engaged decreases the frequency of behavior problems in the classroom. Our teachers only use positive guidance and redirections.

Setting consistent, clear, understandable, age appropriate limits, fosters the child’s ability to become self-controlled, which is our ultimate goal.

By teaching children that each choice they make has a direct consequence, they will begin to learn to be responsible for their own actions. Children will be encouraged to work through the logical and natural consequences of their choices. We encourage and teach children how to problem solve in order to avoid the frustration that can lead to acting out.

WHY SHOULD MY CHILD REMAIN AT MITW FOR HIS OR HER KINDERGARTEN YEAR?

First and foremost, they are happy here. Staying for kindergarten allows them to return to a classroom, teachers and a peer group that is comfortable. They won’t need to spend the first few weeks of the school year getting to know their new environment.

Our lead teachers are well-versed in the academic path 5- and 6-year-olds follow, and, having known your child for two foundational years, they have a keen sense of the trajectory of his or her academic and personal growth.

As the kindergarten year unfolds, parents and teachers alike witness the growth toward what Dr. Maria Montessori referred to as the second plane of development. Children's focus moves away from the structure and order of their safe, individualized and well-prepared classroom environment toward a broader perspective about their place in the school community and society at large. They have internalized what it means to work, begun to recognize their own achievements, and developed enough empathy to guide their younger classmates in the same manner that they were once guided.